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Issue 7
Autumn 2012
Hello
A warm welcome to all at the start of another school year.
We hope you find the information in the newsletter useful. Looking forward to another
eventful year!
www.normantononsoarprimary.co.uk
2
A Gentle Reminder - Nut Allergy
As we start the new year, just a reminder that we do
have a child in school with a severe nut allergy. We would ask that all
parents check lunchboxes etc to ensure that should your child have
nuts staff are made aware at the beginning of each day to ensure we
can take suitable precautions.
Thank you for your continued support with this.
Inhalers in school
Please do make sure if your child suffers from asthma
their inhaler is in school and accessible for your child to
administer. We had a few incidents last term where
inhalers were not available when needed.
Inhalers do need to be clearly labelled with your child‟s
name. If you leave an inhaler in school, do remember to
check the expiry date regularly. Many thanks!
Illness
Thanks again to all who contacted school promptly
during the last term, and reported their child‟s
absence when they are poorly. Messages can be
left at any time, no need to wait for office hours.
The guidelines for infection control in schools stipulates “no return for
48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting”.
We appreciate this is sometimes difficult for childcare arrangements;
however we need to consider the impact of illness on all other children
within school.
3
Dinner Money School dinners for this term are £2.00 per day/
£10.00 per week.
Block payments (including inset days: For this half term: £64.00 (including INSET days) For the full term: £142.00 (including INSET day)
Cheques payable to “Nottinghamshire County Council” please
Please send money into school in a clearly named envelope
Remember dinners must be paid for promptly in advance or on
the day.
After non payment of 5 dinners we will not be able to provide a meal. Parents will be contacted to send in a packed lunch until payments are up to date. Last year a handful of families who persistently failed to pay in
advance, meant school was in arrears to the tune of several
hundred pounds, a tad excessive given the size of our school!
Punctuality & Attendance!
Thank you to all those who supported school in keeping their child
in school and punctual last year. It made a big difference to our
attendance figures and several children were awarded 100%
attendance for the whole year!
We are getting better, but we‟re not quite there! Persistent
absenteeism will continue to be monitored and where necessary
referred to Education Welfare Services.
Please do think twice when taking your child out of school and the
impact this may have on their learning.
4
A warm welcome to those who have
joined our school this year and those
who will be starting full time in
reception!
Water Bottles
These have been issued to every child
when they first join us and are there
to be used throughout the day.
Water only please!
Matilda
Trickett Archie
Zann
Poppy Zann
Keira
Muschialli
Oscar
Trickett
Erin Tyler
Thirza
Rodwell
5
Display Cabinet
Thanks to an anonymous donation school is now the
proud owner of a really very nice and brand new
display cabinet.
On behalf of school, children and staff I would like to sincerely
thank our extremely generous donator. The cabinet has taken pride
of place and is already being filled with many great achievements
our children have enjoyed these past two years.
Thank you for such generosity, I know it will bring a smile to many
faces.
SATS!
KS2 SATS take place 13th—17th May 2013. No absence will be
authorised 2 weeks prior to or 1 week after, so please do not ask
school to consider leave of absence requests.
KS1 SATS will take place throughout May. Please check with your
child's teacher if you are wanting to take your child out of school
during this time.
Class Newsletters
Class newsletters are sent out at the beginning of each term. They
contain details of what your child will be learning during that term,
any key dates as well as information about homework and
expectations etc.
Do check with your child‟s class teacher (and your child‟s book bag!)
if you have not received a copy by Monday 10th September.
6
Extra Curricula Activities
Whilst we endeavour to offer a wide range of afterschool
activities, payment does need to be provided in advance or at
the end of each session if requested.
Tony Cox, our football coach, is still owed payment from 3
families for sessions last year. Despite attempts from both
school and Tony to recover outstanding monies, payment has
still not been received.
Places are limited for many activities and will be offered on a
first come first served basis.
Day Activity Open
to:
Places Provider Time Contact Details
Monday Multi-
Sports
KS1 16 Excel sports 3.30pm
to
4.30pm
0115 8320 118
Tuesday School
Choir
Whole
School
TBC Miss Waters
and
Mrs Waterfall
3.30pm
to
4.30pm
Office
Wednesday NOS WI
Knitting
Club
KS2 TBC Normanton on
Soar WI
3.30pm
to
4.30pm
Office
(letter sent out
5th September)
Thursday Football KS2 16 Tony Cox
Coaching
3.30pm
to
4.30pm
To be confirmed
7
Pre School Places
Thank you to all those who have registered an interest and booked a place
for their child. We currently are still offering morning sessions
9.00am—12.00pm with a lunchtime club 12.00pm—1.00pm (£2 per day for
the cost of a school meal). We have a few places available; please do make
sure your details are on our records, tel 01509 842326 or email
Reception starters September 2013
If you have a child, or know of a child, who will be five between
1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014, they need to be registered
with their local authority so they can apply for a school place.
Nottinghamshire open for applications from 5th November 2012 and
closing date is Tuesday 15th January 2013. Please note, places are not
automatically allocated at local schools and are based on specific admission
criteria. Every school place must be applied for by the parent.
Admission's contact details are as follows:
Applications are made to the local authority you pay your council tax to,
which are then passed to Nottinghamshire admissions for our school
Nottingham Tel: 01623 433499 www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/
schools/admissions
Leicester Tel: 0116 305 6684 www.leics.gov.uk
Derbyshire Tel: 01629 537479 www.derbyshire.gov.uk
8
Topics for this term and class organisation
Foundation Unit (F1 & Rec)
Under the Sea /
Witches and Wizards
Mrs Barker,
Mrs Roberts and
Mrs Jackson
Class 1 (Y1 & Y2)
Fairytales Miss Hewitt
Class 2 (Y3 & Y4)
Robots Mrs Newcombe and
Miss Waters
Class 3 (Y5 & Y6)
Thrills and Spills Mrs Pygall
Mrs Zoe Hildred and Miss Evelyn Halsall, our part time
teaching assistants support various children
throughout the school.
2012 / 2013 INSET days
Friday 21st September 2012
(family of schools INSET Owls Club will be open for
those who need to book childcare)
Friday 21st December 2012
Hamster Rota
Honey has been well looked after over the summer
holidays and is looking much thinner and on track with her weight!
Thanks to the Sleights for taking very good care of her.
If you are able to take Honey home over a weekend, please do
put your name down on the hamster rota in the school office.
Many thanks.
9
Office hours
The office is manned by Mrs Francis each morning.
You are probably aware that unfortunately, school does not have funds
available for full time office cover, but the answer phone is checked
every morning and afternoon for messages. You can email the office on
[email protected]. Emails are checked every
morning.
Mrs Roberts is also available each morning before school starts and at
the end of the day. During the day she does have teaching commitments
as well as out of school meetings and seminars, so if you wish to arrange
a more formal chat, please call the office or speak to Mrs Roberts
directly to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Please also remember that the teachers and teaching assistants are
unable leave their classes during the day to speak to parents without
cover being arranged in advance. Mornings are particularly busy for all
teachers, please arrange a convenient time either directly or
contact the office to arrange a time when they will be available to speak
to you.
Monday - Thursday 8.30am—1.30 pm
Friday 9.30am—2.30pm
New Shelter Most of you will already have noticed the rather nice
new shelter that has been completed over the summer
holidays in the school playground. A wonderful
addition to school and a great replacement for the
monkey bars, sadly their time had come to an end.
Thank you to Soar Valley Services for making it
happen!
10
School Uniform
Whilst uniform is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged and
provides a sense of identity and belonging.
School uniform consists of grey trousers, grey skirt, white shirt or
white polo shirt and a blue school jumper or cardigan with suitable
footwear.
Sweatshirts, cardigans, fleeces and waterproof Jackets are
available directly from our Supplier, A Hyde. www.ahyde.co.uk
Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we are able to keep only a
small selection in school and availability may not be immediate.
Piano
This is proving to be very popular. We currently have 5
children on the waiting list for Mrs Cleaver. Please do
check that your child's details are down on the waiting
list.
Please note, piano is changing from Tuesdays to
Thursdays. Please do make sure your child has all their
music with them ready for the start of the day.
11
Report Questionnaire Responses Out of the replies we received to date, all have been overwhelming in their
support of school, thank you. The responses have been detailed below:-
Overall what the school does for my child:
93% of parents responded with excellent, 7% responded with good
1. The school has a clear understanding of my child‟s needs:
97% of parents responded with yes, 3% responded with partly
2. The school keeps me informed about my child‟s progress:
89% of parents responded with yes, 11% of parents responded with partly
3. I am given information about what my child is learning:
78% of parents responded with yes, 22% of parents responded with partly
4. Teachers give me advice and tasks to help my child at home:
89% of parents responded with yes, 11% of parents responded with partly
5. Teachers listen to my concerns and act upon these:
100% of parents responded with yes
6. I am pleased with the progress my child is making:
100% of parents responded with yes
7. My child is happy at school:
93% of parents responded with yes, 7% of parents responded with partly
8. My child is safe at school:
100% of parents responded with yes
9. My child has been bullied at school:
93% of parents responded with no, 7% of parents responded with partly. “My son hasn‟t been bullied as such more teased by a few individuals” “xxx did experience a small amount of bullying this year but I know the school is aware of it and taking action about it”
10. I feel able to talk to my child‟s teacher(s) at any time
100% of parents responded with yes
11. My child has been involved in an afterschool club
85% of parents responded with yes, 15% of parents responded with no.
12. I have confidence in the teacher(s) ability to progress my child‟ learning
85% of parents responded with yes, 15% of parents responded with partly. The only comment written by a parent who ticked partly was “in the main”.
12
Questionnaire Feedback
It would seem that we have much support from our parents and you have
identified some areas that school can address. Thank you, the whole point
of gathering feedback is to help us improve our school. It would appear
communication with parents could be improved, particularly around
information about what your child is learning. Each term your child‟s class
teacher should issue a class newsletter which provides details about topics
for that term, homework activities and any additional information that is
relevant to that class. Newsletters are also available in each class, please
do check with your child‟s class teacher. All newsletters are issued during
the first week of each new term. Class Newsletters will also be posted on
the website.
The following comments were returned via our questionnaires,
“I feel that at 5 years old they don‟t really need to be told what level
they are as they don‟t fully understand anyway. I also don‟t want him
thinking he is not as good as some of the other children in his class”
Levels are communicated to parents and discussed with each child. That
said, the focus for each child should be on where they are in their learning
and the next steps they need to take, not just what level they are and
certainly not where they are in relation to other children in the class. This
would be divisive and would not support learning. Discussions between class
teacher and child should be supportive, constructive and ultimately help
each child to understand what they need to do next to improve and
progress.
“more interesting homework not just worksheets” “giving more meaning
and purpose to homework – it very much feels that it is a task meant
to tick a box”
Homework should be relevant to each child and essentially enhance and
progress learning. If not, I couldn‟t agree more, there would be little point
in completing it. Tasks should be set to enthuse, challenge and help
progress children, worksheets may sometimes be given but these should be
limited in their use.
13
“Keeping an eye on „accidents‟ in the playground to ensure bullying
isn‟t developing”.
Playtimes are supervised by school staff and lunchtimes by our Midday
Supervisors. We have a rigorous system in place which supports positive
play and is designed to challenge unacceptable behaviour. This is
reinforced by our Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies. We will continue
to monitor any incidents which are recorded on a behaviour log in school.
If there are any concerns parents may have, please do come and talk
with us, as we can often resolve these before they can potentially
become issues.
It has been great having more exciting and frequent afterschool
clubs – we hope to get more involved with these”
“We cannot thank you enough for the way xxx has been welcomed
and made to feel valued at Normanton he loves it all at school and
is so positive. Having a happy child is what it is all about – thank
you to you all, it‟s so appreciated”
“The school and staff are brilliant. The extra time and effort you
put in is evident in our children‟s successes. Thank you!”
We strive to provide the best possible opportunities for your child, as
with many things we aim for excellence and often we achieve great
things. School has built excellent relationships with our parents and
carers, I hope that this continues and encourages growth, improvements
and above all successes for all the children.
Thank you for your continued and overwhelming support, it really does
make a difference. There is always room for improvement and we will
continue along that path until children, staff and parents are recognised
for the considerable efforts that are put in on a daily basis.
Our greatest danger is not that we aim too high and we miss it, but that
it is too low and we reach it............together everyone achieves more.
14
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations!
Finding green fingers at gardening club!
15
Seaside fun at boggle hole— (and ice-cream!)
Outdoor experiences at conkers (and relaxation!)
Creating international links with Chile
16
Olympic Celebrations!
Wow, what a busy term!
17
Parent Forum 12th July 2012
Swimming
School confirmed that next year swimming costs have increased
significantly. In order to deliver the twice weekly sessions we will
be asking for voluntary contributions from parents, in line with
many other local schools to cover the costs of transport, pool hire
and instructors. More details will be provided nearer the time.
Parent forum was attended by two parents and the Headteacher.
French
This is expected to become part of the new curriculum for schools
by 2014. Years 3-6 will continue to be taught by Madame Baker
and will, during the course of the year, learn written and spoken
French. KS1 (years 1 and 2) will have a reduced timetable in
preparation for KS2. The possibility of paid sessions for KS1 is to
be explored by school as requested by a parent.
School clubs
Feedback would indicate that clubs are varied and cover most
requests from parents and children. Cookery club has proven
very popular and will be repeated for both KS1 and KS2 during
this year. School confirmed that Normanton-on-Soar Women‟s
Institute had offered their knitting experience and services to
school. The club will run on Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm and
initially will be for KS2 children. Clubs will be rotated and the
children will, as usual, help decide clubs for each term. Gardening
club feedback was positive and this will be repeated around
planting times! School also expressed concerns over some
parents who are in arrears with our sporting providers. Clubs
must be paid for in advance and slips that are received without
payment will be returned.
18
School uniform
As previously discussed at Parents forum Friends of Normanton
have agreed to run the 2nd hand uniform shop, and it is expected to
be up and running in the Autumn term.
School will display a selection of uniform in the entrance to school
and details of how to purchase uniform will also be displayed.
Phonics and Numeracy Workshop
School confirmed that Numeracy and Phonics workshops would be
offered for parents during the Autumn term. The workshop will
provide parents with an opportunity to understand how phonics are
delivered in school and how children are taught the four
operations. In numeracy guidance will be provided on how
children can be supported at home. More details to follow.
Village News
Friends of Normanton expressed their interest in supporting
school with the village news and updates of their section on the
school website. School is very grateful for the work that Friends
has done this past year in raising funds and supporting school.
Thank you!
Homework
A few parents have raised concerns about homework being
inconsistent in classes. School confirmed that homework should
support activities in class, whether this is spellings, times tables,
reading or topic based tasks. All homework should be
communicated, marked and available for parents and children to
review their outcomes. There is little point in completing
homework if there is no learning attached to the activity.
19
Friends of Normanton
Sarah Tremeer is the Chair of Friends of school, contact
details are:
Telephone: 07793 816900
Email address: [email protected]
The next Friends meeting will take place on Thursday 18th
October
If you would like to volunteer to help the group, your support
is very much appreciated Friends are very active in school and
play a huge part in raising much needed funds for school.
It matters not how much time you have to spare,
Parent Forum
Our next parent forum will be on:
Wednesday 3rd October, 9.00am
Please come along to discuss any school matters that are
of interest to you.
If you can‟t attend and would like to raise an item for
discussion, please email or send a note into the school
office with a brief summary of the subject you would like
to be discussed.
20
September
Monday 10th KS1 Multi sports after school club starts
Tuesday 11th After school „School Choir‟ starts
Wednesday 12th KS2 NOS WI after school Knitting Club Starts
Thursday 13th Piano lessons resume
KS2 Football after school club starts (Tony Cox)
Friday 21st INSET Day — School Closed
Tuesday 25th Children‟s Workshop KS1 + KS2 - The Art of Brilliance
Friday 28th Governing Body Committee Meeting 9.00am
October
Wednesday 3rd Parent Forum 9.00am
Thursday 4th Parents Evenings - details to follow
Friday 5th Parents Evenings - details to follow
Monday 15th National Bug Busting Day
Tuesday 16th Harvest Assembly 9.30am — Parents Welcome
Thursday 18th Friends Meeting 7.30pm
Friday 19th Last day of school before half term
Half Term Holiday 22nd—26th October
Mon 29th Return to school following holidays
November
Thursday 15th Governing Body Meeting 7pm
W/C 19th Anti Bullying Week
December
Monday 10th Christmas Play 6pm
Tuesday 11th Christmas Play 6pm
Wednesday 12th Christmas Play 6pm
Tuesday 18th Carol Concert 9.30am
School Christmas Parties
Wednesday 19th Dick Whittington Panto; Christmas Lunch
Thursday 20th Last day of school before Christmas holidays
Friday 21st INSET day
Christmas Holidays
January
January 7th Return to school following holidays
There may be additional activities that arise during the term. We will endeavour to keep you updated as they arise, please do check the website
